When you're ill, know who turn to

Published 9 Aug 2010 09:29

NHS Ayrshire & Arran is rolling out a new public education campaign called 'When you're ill, know who to turn to'. The campaign aims to help people across Ayrshire and Arran make better use of the right NHS services, in the right place at the right time.

Paul Ardin, Director of Primary Care Development explains: "By helping people to make informed decisions about their health care and the service they may require, we hope to increase satisfaction, help people get quicker access to appropriate services and become more efficient ourselves. Research shows that a significant number of people who live in Ayrshire and Arran are not making the most of their NHS and the full range of services we offer. Inevitably, inappropriate use of services can lead to delays, patient frustration and inefficiencies, however we hope the 'when you're ill know who to turn to' campaign will help to address these issues."

The 'When you're ill know who to turn to' campaign will be rolled out over the coming months using a toolkit that includes posters, leaflets, advertising, on-line information and direct contact out and about in communities. The materials clearly state the eight options available to people who need assistance from their health service alongside a list of symptoms that could be appropriately dealt with by each option. These options include: self-care, pharmacist, dentist, optometry, family doctor, NHS out-of-hours service, minor injuries services and accident and emergency.

Irene Campbell, Project Manager for the campaign, adds: "We will be looking closely at geographical trends to find out if there are particular pockets of the community where people may need further assistance in identifying which services are available to them and, crucially, when it would be appropriate to access them. We hope that with a targeted and local approach we will be able to help more people get the advice, expertise and treatment appropriate to them in the right place, at the right time".

The 'when you're ill know who turn to' campaign suggests the following options:

Self care - for minor illness or injury you can deal with yourself, such as hangover, grazed knee, sore throat, coughs and colds

Pharmacist - for expert advice or information on medicines and healthcare including the Minor Ailment Service. Examples of minor ailments include coughs and colds, indigestion, constipation, aches and pains

Dentist - for regular check ups, routine treatment and emergency care

Optometry - for any eye problems including blurred vision, difficulty seeing well or discomfort - red eyes, irritated eyes

Family doctor - when your illness or injury just won't go away make an appointment to see your GP who can provide advice and information about conditions such as vomiting, ear pain, sore belly, backache

NHS out-of-hours service - Turn to your NHS out of hours service when you are too ill to wait until your GP or dental surgery is open.

Call NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24

Minor injuries service - if you require urgent care for a minor injury such as cuts, minor burns, sprains

Accident and emergency - Turn to 999 or your hospital's A&E department only for serious illness or accidents such as suspected stroke, heart attack, head injuries, fracture or wounds requiring stitches

For further information on the 'When you're ill know who to turn to' campaign contact 0800 169 1441.

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